Engage, Elevate, Empower: Teacher Well-Being & Artistic Social Emotional Learning (SEL) for the Performing Arts Educator

Rita is currently earning her PhD in Music Education and most recently earned a Graduate Certificate in Music for Well-Being in May, 2022. Alongside her studies, Rita is the primary instructor for the Music for Well-Being Program and director of the Healing Arts Ensemble at George Mason University. Rita is also owner and instructor for her private music studio, Melodia, in Oak Hill, VA. Previously, Rita earned a Master of Music in Music Education from Duquesne University, Pittsburgh (2005). Her Master’s thesis entitled Virtual Choral Laboratory focused on creation and application of web-based music technology curriculum and resources for Choral Music Education. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Music Education with a concentration in Voice/ minor in Piano and dual endorsements in Instrumental and Choral Music Education from Seton Hill University Greensburg, Pennsylvania (2001). 

Rita’s current research is centered on Music Teacher Well-Being. Her study, Exploring Music Teacher Well-Being has recently been selected for a full paper presentation at the International Symposium for Music Education in Helsinki, Finland in the Summer of 2024. Rita was honored to share her knowledge on recruitment and retention in secondary choral music education in chapter five of The Music Teacher’s Guide to Recruitment and Retention by Dr. Angela Ammerman. 

Rita has spent over two decades as a teacher in the public school system gaining a wide variety of experiences in K-12 Music Education. Rita most recently served as a high school choral director in Fairfax County Public Schools. During her seventeen-year tenure in FCPS she directed five choirs, mentored and sponsored three student run a cappella groups, developed a non-profit parent booster organization, directed, produced, chaired, and hosted countless county, state, and international music events, concerts, and musical theatre productions and co-sponsored the Tri-M Music Honor Society. Choirs under her tutelage consistently earned superior ratings at state and national adjudications and were regularly invited to participate in a wide variety of  honorable performance including the Virginia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference, Carnegie Hall, and for the Candlelight Processional, narrated by Neil Patrick Harris at Epcot in Walt Disney World. Under Rita’s leadership the South Lakes High School Choral Department was awarded the 2011 American Association for People with Disabilities (AAPD) Inclusion & Diversity in the Arts Award. AAPD is the largest non-profit cross-disability organization in the United States. Rita has been nominated for Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Teacher of the Year and was a finalist for FCPS Special Education Parent Teacher Association Secondary Co-Curricular Teacher of the Year. 

Rita is a professional member of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), Virginia Music Educators Association (VMEA), American Psychology Association (APA),  A Cappella Education Association (AEA), International Symposium for Music Education (ISME), College Music Society (CMS), Chorus America, Sound Health Network (SHN), and Healing Touch Professional Association (HTPA). She is past president of the Fairfax County Choral Directors Association and has served VMEA as the Chorus Representative for District XII and as a member of the Government Relations Committee. Currently she is serving on board for Friends of Mason Music at George Mason University, the College of Visual and Performing Arts Dean’s Strategic Planning Steering Committee, and VA ACDA Region Committee. 

When she’s not making music, studying or teaching Rita loves spending time in nature, doing yoga, cooking, going to the beach, snuggling with her shih- tzu, Holly and hanging out with her supportive and amazing husband, Francesco. Visit www.ritagigliotti.com to learn more.

Dr. Scott N. Edgar (he/him) has dedicated his career to highlighting the potential music education and educators have to build life skills students will long after they leave the classroom. As a notable authority on music education and Social Emotional Learning, Dr. Edgar has emerged as the leading researcher, best-selling author, and internationally sought-after clinician on the subject. He is the author of Music Education and Social Emotional Learning: The Heart of Teaching Music, The ABC’s of My Feelings and Music (co-authored with his wife Stephanie), and editor of Portraits of Music Education and Social Emotional Learning (published through GIA Publications).

Dr. Edgar priorities facilitating spaces where people can explore their identity, build a sense of belonging, and experience agency. He is grateful for the may experiences he has had a Bowling Green State University (B.M.E.), University of Dayton, (M.S.), and the University of Michigan (Ph.D.) to learn from his mentors. He is Associate Professor of Music, Chair of the Department of Music, and Director of Bands at Lake Forest College, Social Emotional Learning Editor for GIA Publications, and serves as Director of Practice and Research for The Center for Arts Education and Social Emotional Learning. Dr. Edgar is also a Music for All Educational Consultant, a Conn-Selmer Educational Clinician, and VH1 Save the Music Foundation Educational Consultant.

Striving for work/life balance, he enjoys grilling, exercising, and spending time with his wife Steph and their son Nathan.